I love this time of year, when bands are recording and putting their finishing touches on their new albums and gear up to go on tour. Here’s the beginning to my list of upcoming shows that I’ll be be going to so far (I’m sure this list will continue to expand over the next days, weeks, months):

Recently, we went to see A Skylit Drive, Alesana and Escape the Fate at Rams Head Live. They were the openers for Silverstein and Chiodos. We only ended up seeing the first 3 bands since we didn’t know any Silverstein/Chiodos songs. The band I most wanted to see was A Skylit Drive. Their newest full album, Wires and the Concept of Breathing, is a remarkable album from start to finish. Each track is really worth the listen and the sound of the band is so different than other bands out there. They opened the set with the album titled track and continued for only about 5 songs.

A Skylit Drive

You could tell that the audience had not necessarily come to see them, but as they were warming up the crowd for the bands to follow after them, it was clear that they were gaining fans with every minute they were on stage.

Alesana came on next and tore it up. Those guys were CRAZY on stage. They all dressed the same in white jeans and white Hanes tee shirts. Odd. Their front man is nothing short of insane, and really pumped up the crowd. Their music wasn’t all too bad either.

Escape the Fate followed, and I felt something was lacking. The crowd seemed to eat it up, but there was something I couldn’t get into about their music. Their new lead singer Craig Mabbitt – formerly from blessthefall – seemed arrogant and annoying to me for someone his age/level of “stardom”. I’m completely of the mind that when bands are first starting off, they need to exude a level of confidence, but should still stay humble in their success and following.

I was hoping that after seeing them, I would want to go out and get their new album, This War is Ours, but… I don’t…

Overall, the bands we DID see were good, but A Skylit Drive really took the cake. The vocals, lyrics and musicianship impressed me above the other bands there that night. Make sure to check these guys out. Do it now!

CHECK IT OUT!! Big news for blessthefall!! I can’t wait for the new album, and tour. I’m so glad these guys are back on their feet. The new song “To Hell and Back” that can be located on their Myspace page and buzznet page

After months spent searching for a permanent lead singer, blessthefall finally found just what they were looking for in L.A. native (and current Huntington Beach, CA resident) Beau Bokan. Check out the premiere “To Hell And Back”, the first blessthefall track featuring Bokan on vocals, as well as new photos of the band.

“To Hell And Back” is about those times in life when your back is to the wall and all the odds are against you. It’s about not giving up, not giving in, and just pushing forward.
– Beau Bokan

Blessthefall is expected to hit the studio in November to begin recording the follow-up to its 2007 breakthrough release, His Last Walk (Science Records). Since forming the new lineup the band mates have been bonding while camped out in Costa Mesa, CA, where they are furiously writing new material and demoing tracks.

I used to think of traditional hymns and cheesy modern songs when I thought of music surrounding the Christian faith, but a new type of genre has swiftly emerged in this realm. It’s surprising to think that something that sounds so aggressive and hostile could be something that Christians or metal-heads would enjoy, but in fact, Christian Metal has become a huge phenomenon in the metalcore arena. And while you probably won’t hear it Sunday mornings at church, it’s remains to be a common element in some people’s lives, whether it’s musically or spiritually. Personally I think it’s awesome.

Naturally it the fact that it’s labeled “Christian” tends to offend or put off traditional metal-heads who hold songs with certain other hardcore ideas close to their heart. However, most Christian bands that are good, walk the fine line of being just the right amount religious, and avoid being “preachy”.

Like everyone else who makes music, most popular Christian metal bands, like As I Lay Dying and Blessthefall, use their beliefs to simply shape their music. It’s just that their musical and spiritual focus is in a different place than most musicians, even though the style of music may be identical to other standard metal bands. Their focus is on their faith, whether directly or indirectly, and I respect that.

Lyrics for me are sometimes the make or break factor when it comes to enjoying a song to it’s fullest. So you can imagine that Christian metal can be tricky. I do think though that it’s so cool how bands choose to use this type of music in combination with a spiritual twist. The most impressive thing is that it’s heartfelt and honest.People pray in different ways, and I’d like to think that God accepts all praise in any form as long as it’s genuine.

I would also like to think that He headbangs a little bit and smiles when he hears some of these guys spreading His word in their own creative ways \m/

To get a little more insight as to what I’m talking about, check out this interview with As I Lay Dying from 2005 by Drew Ailes. And then take a look at Blessthefall’s video for “Guys Like You Make Us Look Bad” (off of Youtube)